Monika Domaschenz Interview

Monika Domaschenz is a Sydney based graphic designer who works with a number of leading design studios and global advertising agencies. The central focus and strength of Monika’s work – for both her commercial and private projects – lies in image-making, primarily drawing and photography.

Featured Project // 65.
Why it Rocks // This will be Monika’s first solo exhibition, and it comes from the heart – the show was created in memory of her mother, who passed away at the age of 65 .

The show is on from 1-6 May, 2014 at Nishi Gallery, NewActon, Canberra. Opening night is on Thursday 1 May, from 6-8pm. We’re delighted to chat with Monika in a little Q&A below.

+ Can you tell us a little about 65, and what is the inspiration behind it?

65 was created in memory of my mother Wanda Domaschenz, who passed away at the age of 65 after suffering a second stroke in 2011. Seeing the person you love the most in the world change from an independent, outgoing and passionate woman into someone who suffered daily to be alive was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Our year together before her passing, came and went as a sort of blessing in disguise. A way to be together through all the pain. Her passing was something I found difficult to comprehend. Soon after I began my series as a way to create small acts of remembrance. By producing one drawing each week over 65 weeks I sought to reflect on, and celebrate, my mother’s life of 65 years.
Each drawing is simply a unit of reflection – one moment in a journey with no final destination – the act of making being equally, if not more important to me, than the final work. Heart and tear motifs, continuously reinterpreted, become a visual record of thoughts, emotions, recollections and realisations generated during their making. 65 was my way of trying to create something meaningful out of something so meaningless.

+ What is your favourite thing about this project?

Finishing the 65 drawings and having the opportunity to exhibit the series at the beautiful Nishi Gallery in Canberra feels like watching stars come into formation.

+ Can you share anything you learnt during this project? Would you have done anything differently?

Letting emotions and thoughts transfer onto paper each week is healing. Never judging any of the drawings and allowing each sheet of paper to become what it is destined to be is definitely a new process for me. I can’t say that I would change anything as I have simply let the project take its natural course.

+ What advice do you have for people who want to pursue a passion project like this in parallel to their other commitments?

Personal projects enrich your life. They allow your inner voice to emerge without having to navigate its way around expectations and requirements.
If there is something you have always wanted to do—do it. Now is the best time and don’t forget small steps turn into big steps in the end.

+ What do you hope to achieve with this project, and what would you like people to take away from it?

Originally I created 65 for myself, as a personal exploration. Now I hope to share my experience with others so they can understand how fragile we all are and how each one of us is fighting their own battle. Even with 65 being such a personal series, I hope visitors can enjoy each drawing without needing any background knowledge on how they came about.
One of my closest friends wanted the series to spread the message of love beyond the exhibition, hence the artworks will be for sale with 100% of the proceeds donated to support NeuRA’s stroke rehabilitation research.

+ Tell us about one thing that’s inspiring you lately and why.

I have found inspiration in waking up to one of the most beautiful beaches in Sydney for the past 10 years. I never tire of the postcard picture I see. Each day being perfect no matter the weather.

+ Most people don’t know that I…